Flexible slip coupling



July 24 1951 H. H. VANDERZEE 2,561,830

FLEXIBLE SLIP COUPLING Filed Dec. 27, 1945 Patented July 2 4, 1951 sa, mura FLEXIBLE SLIP 'COUPLING .n

` Harry `H.A Vanderzce, Twin DiscrClutchf- RacinfWisg" assignor to A CompanyfRacina Wis., a

corporation' of Wisconsin Application `December 27, 19,4.,7

, l f l My invention relates to flexible couplings for transmitting power and more particularly to a structural arrangement of this type which embodies advantages additional to those ordinarily found in units of this character.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a flexible coupling for transmitting power which, in addition to possessing the usual capacity of such units to compensate for angular and lateral or offset misalignment between the driving and driven shafts or members, also is arranged to slip rotarily in the event of overload, thereby preventing breakage of the parts of the connected apparatus and stalling of the power source.

A further object is to devise a coupling of the character indicated which frictionally transmits power through compressed elastic or cushion members that also act to absorb torsional vibrations.

A further object is to provide a fiexible slip coupling as above set forth which may be readjusted whenever necessary to take up wear in the friction elements and thus maintain the full power transmitting capacity of the coupling.

These and further objects of the invention will be set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and the novel means by which said objects are effectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the .coupling as taken along the line I--I in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the coupling looking in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I designates a shaft, which for purpose of description, will be regarded as the driving member, although it will be understood that the direction of power flow through the coupling is immaterial. At the coupling end, the shaft `Il) carries a flange Il which is secured by means of studs I2 to an abutment ring I3 having an annular shoulder I4 that is coaxial with the shaft and is located on the side of the ring opposite to the fiange. Slidably mounted on the shoulder I 4 is the annular Wall I5 of a pressure cup I6 which faces toward and has its transverse wall I1 spaced from the ring I3. The cup is secured to the ring I3 by studs I8.

'I'he numeral I9 designates the driven shaft and drivably secured thereto by a pin 20 is a hub 2| which is preferably split between the pin and the right end of the hub, as viewed in Fig. 1.

` nous z2 bridgedybetyveen the split portions brune hub serve to grip the hub on the shaft. A driven eriainlltmii 2 C1aiiiis;'V (c1, 345.40) f;

ring 23 is secured to the unsplit end 24 of the hub, preferably by welds 25--25, and is located so that the side thereof which faces the ring I3 extends beyond the adjacent end of the hub. The periphery 2B of the ring 23 is spaced slightly from the inner surface of the wall I5 and is partispherically shaped, thus enabling the coupling to compensate for angular and offset misalignment of the shafts. Cushion or elastic rings 21, preferably made of rubber, natural or synthetic, are positioned between the coacting faces of the rings I3 and 23 and between the coacting faces of the ring. 23 and wall I1. To condition the coupling for the normal transmission of power, the rings 21 are compressed by the cup I6 sulficiently to establish the required frictional contact with the above mentioned faces of the rings I3 and 23 and the Wall I1, the annular wall I5 confining the outer, peripheral surfaces of the rings 21 and the rings 21 being otherwise free of any positive connection to the other coupling parts. The slits 28 which divide the major portion of the hub 2| are widened as at 29 in the vicinity of the pin 2U so that the hub may be positioned as desired axially of the shaft and relative to the pin.

During normal operation, the shafts Il] and I9 rotate at the same speed and power is frictionally transmitted through elements which compensate for any practical misalignment of the shafts and which additionally provide for a cushioned flow of this power. During periods of overload, the speed of the shaft I9 falls below that of the shaft I0, but the coupling continues to transmit power due to the slip characteristic embodied in the frictional drive, the necessary slippage occurring between the coacting faces of the friction elements. The slip of the coupling will also accommodate stalling of the shaft Il) for short periods, thus avoiding damage to or stoppage of the power source. Adequate capacity is insured by the use of a pair of cushion rings.

As Wear of the cushion rings 21 occurs, recompression of these rings may be easily reestablished by the cup I6 and studs I8. The offsetting of the driven ring 23 relative to the end of the hub enables this adjustment to be made up to the practical limit of usability of the rings 21.

I claim:

1. In a coupling, the combination of substantially coaxial and axially spaced, first and second members each having a flat ring secured thereto, the rings being axially spaced, a pressure element -slidable on the rst member ring and having gageable with the pressure element to adjustably flat, annular part axially spaced from the second Y compress the rubber rings and provide a friction member` ring, rubber rings interposed between the drive between the members, the pressure element rst'and second member rings and pressure eleincluding an annular wall for confining the outer ment part, respectively, and bolt means carried 5 peripheries of the rubber rings and the outer by the rst member ring and engageable with the peripheral face Yof the second member ring lying pressure element vgto, adjustably `compres@the rub-... closetqtheinner .surfaceitheannular Wall and ber ringaangpprovide a rriction driyabetwerrt e@ beingg,partiespherically 4.shaped ftd; accommodate members, the pressure element including an an? angular and oiset misalignments of the memnular wall for conning the outer peripheries ofgigli; Lblfils. Y the rubber rings. 'f HARRY I-I. VANDERZEE.

o 2. In a coupling, the combination olfsubstarr-A u tially coaxial and axially spaced fir stand second, REFERENCES CITED members each having a fiat ringsecuredjtliere.,3 l "Iflregiqllqwingreferences are of record in the the rings being axially spaced, a pressure eleleiileof thisspatentrment slidable on the rst memberhringand ,hay-v H i 2 ing a fiat annular part axiallyspaced 'fromf'ithe' i UNHEQS'TTES PATENTS 1 second member ring, rubber rings interpaselbe? Nllmhpl, Name Date tween the rst and second member rings and 2357284 Pearce ----.V-' Jan-'12, 1937 pressure (element. part.. raspectivlsz.. and@ bolt-.20 2224MB Jones fm1-f Decay-10,1940 

